Sorting systems of automobile shredder residue to enhance recovery of recyclable materials

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for increasing recyclable material recovery from automobile shredder residue (4). Embodiments include separation of automobile shredder residue with a sorting system (5) such as an air sorting system, a non-ferrous automobile shredder residue air sorter, an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system, a non-magnetic magnetic sorter, a substantially isotropic quantization sorting system, an air-locked Z-box air classifier, low susceptance microparticle separator, a magnetic fuzz separator, a wind tunnel system, or the like perhaps with substantially horizontal laminar air flow (7) and can be used with or without out other traditional automobile shredder residue sorting systems (16) or (15) perhaps creating additional recyclable quantities and even better separated results such as with zorba and zurik and the like.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/250,950 filed Jan. 17, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/849,305 filed Sept. 9, 2015, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/556,069, now U.S. Pat. No.9,132,432, filed Jul. 23, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/274,328, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,019, filed Oct.15, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for enhancedrecovery of recyclable materials from automobile shredder residue. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to removal of magnetic fuzzfrom automobile shredder residue, air sorting systems of automobileshredder residue, substantially isotropic quantization sorting systemsof automobile shredder residue, or the like as discussed hereinproviding additional recyclable materials, less waste, and even betterquality of the separated products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recycling, may be a key component of modern waste reduction and may helpsustain the environment for future generations. Recycling efforts canprevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption ofraw materials, reduce energy usage, and the like. According to estimatesfrom the automotive industry, 95% of all motor vehicles removed fromservice are processed for recycling. This equates to approximately 9 to10 million. vehicles each year in the US. In the recycling process, carsmay be dismantled and stripped of reusable parts. The stripped cars maybe sent to auto shredding operations where automobile shredders such ashammermills crush them into smaller pieces. Metal chunks are recoveredand sold to metal scrap and nonferrous metal processing industries. Onaverage 75% of a vehicle by weight is recycled. The remaining 25% of thevehicle is commonly landfilled. Major household appliances can also berecycled but create residues that cannot be recycled. The remainingmaterial from the recycling of automobiles, trucks, buses and commonhousehold appliances such as washers, dryers and refrigerators and thelike is called automobile shredder residue also known as auto fluff, orauto shredder fluff. It is estimated that 2 billion pounds of automobileshredder residue are generated annually.

Realistically, automobile shredder residue contains recyclablecomponents such as plastics and metals mixed in with trash and magneticfuzz. It is desirable to provide a system that can further processautomobile shredder residue to separate the recyclable components in aform that can be used for recycling. Previous particle classificationsystems such as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,808 to Manley and U.S.Pat. No. 4,312,748 to Rozmus, both hereby incorporated by referenceherein, would not work with automobile shredder residue among otherreasons. Manley was designed for mineral and mine run materials andRozmus was designed for powders and metal powders. Unlike automobileshredder residue, minerals, mine run minerals, and powders may besomewhat homogenous pre-classification. Automobile shredder residue maybe a seemingly homogenous substance but may actually have a lot ofvarious materials and maybe somewhat heterogeneous containing differentsubstances such as glass, fabric, metals, dirt, plastics, rubber, trash,and the like. Separation of automobile shredder residue is verydifferent from minerals, mine run materials, and powders.

Other systems have been developed to recover recyclable components fromautomobile shredder residue. Such traditional systems include magnets,eddy current, air separation perhaps only as an air sensor puff,flotation, screening, sensor sorting, induction sensor sorting, andX-ray. However, these traditional systems still produce end productsthat contain recyclable components which end up as waste in a landfill.The traditional sorting systems for automobile shredder residue alsoprovide recyclable products which may be unclean and even unusableperhaps making the recycling process less efficient. Therefore, there isa need for a system to enhance separation of recyclable materials fromauto shredder residue to provide cleaner recyclable products and morerecyclable products from what would otherwise be trashed.

Unlike past systems which may only afford incremental increases in therecovery of recyclable materials from auto shredder residue, the presentinvention utilizes techniques which were not previously considered toachieve impressive sorting results compared to the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses systems for various sorting ofautomobile shredder residue. As one example, a wind tunnel system may beprovided so that materials such as automobile shredder residue can beeffectively sorted into various collections including but not limited tocollections of substantially isotropic quantized materials.

It is therefore broadly an object of the present invention to providemethods and systems to increase sorting of recyclable materials fromautomobile shredder residue to reduce waste and landfill.

It is another object of the present invention to provide cleanerrecyclable materials from the sorting of automobile shredder residue toperhaps increase efficiency in the recycling process.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a windtunnel sorting system for separation of recyclable materials fromautomobile shredder residue.

Another object of the present invention provides an air-lockedautomobile shredder residue sorting system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a directedair flow automobile shredder residue sorting system.

It is another objection of the present invention to provide air sortingof non-ferrous recovery components perhaps with a non-ferrous recoverysystem having an automobile shredder residue sorting system.

It is yet another objection of the present invention to providesubstantial removal of magnetic fuzz from automobile shredder residue.

It is another object of the present invention to providenon-magnetically magnetic sorting of automobile shredder residue.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide automobileshredder residue sorting systems of trash items.

Another object of the present invention provides the use of sortingsystems of the present invention together with other traditionalsystems.

It is another object of the present invention to process automobileshredder residue in a various unique separation systems and apparatusand then process with subsequent sorting systems.

It is yet another object of the present invention to process automobileshredder residue in initial sorting systems and then process withvarious unique automobile shredder residue separation systems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide enhancedrecyclable materials recovered from automobile shredder residueincluding recyclable metals and plastics.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughoutother areas of the specification, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and referenced drawings are for selectedembodiments of the present invention. Naturally, changes may be made tothe disclosed embodiments While still falling within the scope andspirit of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention of a sorting system.

FIG. 2 shows an end view of a sorting system.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention of a wind tunnel.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an example of the various processes usedwith enhanced separation of recyclable products from automobile shredderresidue in various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may becombined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided tolist elements and describe some of the embodiments of the presentinvention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, howeverit should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and inany number to create additional embodiments. The variously describedexamples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit thepresent invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques,and applications. Further, this description should be understood tosupport and encompass descriptions and claims of all the variousembodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applicationswith any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, andalso with any and all various permutations and combinations of allelements in this or any subsequent application.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide methods for enhancedseparation of automobile shredder residue comprising: providingautomobile shredder residue from an automobile shredder and metalreclamation process; introducing said automobile shredder residue into awind tunnel sorting system; providing a gravitationally driven descentof said automobile shredder residue in said wind tunnel sorting system;horizontally laminar flowing air through said wind tunnel sortingsystem; dynamically influencing said gravitationally driven descent ofat least some of said automobile shredder residue with said horizontallylaminar flowing air so that at least some of said automobile shredderresidue is carried with said laminar flowing air in said wind tunnelsorting system; substantially isotropic quantization separating saidautomobile shredder residue in said wind tunnel sorting system by saidhorizontally laminar flowing air scattering said automobile shredderresidue; and perhaps even categorizingly collecting said automobileshredder residue as said automobile shredder residue variably descendsin said wind tunnel sorting system.

Apparatus for enhanced separation of automobile shredder residue mayinclude a plurality of automobile shredder residue; a substantiallyisotropic quantization sorting system; an automobile shredder residueintroduction element in said substantially isotropic quantizationsorting system; a horizontal laminar air flow in said substantiallyisotropic quantization sorting system; and perhaps even at least onecollection of substantially isotropic quantized materials generated fromsaid automobile shredder residue influenced by said horizontal laminarair flow.

Automobile shredder residue may be the leftover materials from anautomobile shredder and metal reclamation process. As may be understoodfrom FIG. 4, shredder materials (26) such as but not limited toautomobiles, trucks, buses, household appliances, washers, dryers,refrigerator, sheet metal, scraps, and waste metal may be fed into anautomobile shredder system (1) where the shredder material may beshredded into a plurality of shredded pieces (2). A shredder system mayinclude a huge and powerful machine or machines such as a hammermillscapable of crushing the shredder materials into smaller pieces. Aftershredded pieces (2) may be removed from a. shredder, metals such asferrous metals may be separated from the mass of the material with asorter such as a magnetic sorter (11). A magnetic sorter (11) may be atraditional gross magnetic sorter in that this type of gross magneticsorting of shredder pieces may be a traditional type of system. Amagnetic sorter may be a powerful magnet or plurality of magnets or evena large magnetic roller, or the like. The magnetic sorter may beresponsive to the plurality of shredded pieces to generate a collectionof ferrous metals (3), such as a ferrous collection of shredded pieces,which may then be recycled. This may be a ferrous recovery system (40).The leftover collection of material may be a separate collection of theautomobile shredder residue (4) which may be characterized as anon-ferrous collection of automobile shredder residue or evennon-ferrous automobile shredder residue. However, this collection ofmaterials may include ferrous or even magnetic substances but may betermed under the non-ferrous recovery system since it may be theresulting components after the ferrous recovery system. Each of theferrous collection of shredded pieces or the non-ferrous collection ofautomobile shredder residue may be collected in a collector such as acontainer or the like as discussed herein. Most of the recyclablecomponents in automobile shredder residue may be non-ferrous metals(such as stainless steel, copper, brass, zinc, aluminum, lead, and thelike) but may also have some ferrous metals mixed in as well. Asmentioned, the leftover collection of materials may be processed in anon-ferrous recovery system (41). Automobile shredder residue mayinclude a variety of materials such as but not limited to magnetic fuzz,dirt, non-metallic waste, trash, metals, ferrous metals, nonferrousmetals, light trash, heavy trash, glass, plastic, wood, aluminum,copper, zinc, brass, lead, stainless steel, magnesium, nickel, tin,insulated copper wire, any combination thereof, or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide air-locked automobileshredder residue sorting systems. Automobile shredder residue may besize sorted (34) perhaps with a size sorter, to perhaps less than aboutone inch size cut in some instances or as discussed herein. The sizedautomobile shredder residue may be introduced into an air-lockedautomobile shredder residue sorting system, perhaps like thenon-limiting example shown in FIG. 1 with air locks (27) in the system.An air-locked system may be desirable perhaps in order to contain theautomobile shredder residue due to its nature of containing harmfulsubstances, such as magnetic fuzz, that can be harmful if inhaled,digested, or the like. The automobile shredder residue may be air sortedin an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system and at leastone sorted collection of sorted automobile shredder residue may becollected. As discussed herein, an automobile shredder residue systemmay include horizontally flowing air (7), may he in a closed loop (18),may be a wind tunnel system, may be a contained system, or the like, oras discussed herein. A contained system may provide that sortingmaterials are somehow contained perhaps within an apparatus, within abuilding, within an air-locked system or the like.

As mentioned previously, an automobile shredder residue sorting systemmay be used in a non-ferrous recovery system (41). Of course, any kindof sorting system may be used. For example, a Z-box air classifier whichis a known traditional system to one skilled in the art, may be adaptedinto a new system with an air-lock. A Z-box air classifier may functionby having heavier components falling down and the lighter componentsrising up and out of the system. A Z-box air classifier has only beenused in the clean-up of ferrous recovery system and may be a densitysorting to get rid of trash on steel. A Z-box air classifier may not bea size sorter. In the past, a Z-box air classifier has not been used ina. non-ferrous recovery system and may not have been air-locked.

A cyclone, as discussed herein, may be used with an air-lockedautomobile shredder residue sorting system to perhaps clean the air flowin a sorting system that has some automobile shredder residue substancestherein. This may include the lighter substances such as hut not limitedto magnetic fuzz, light trash, or the like cyclone may be located andused after the sorting system such that the automobile shredder residuemay be sorted before a cyclone step. A cyclone may be a centrifugal dustremoval type system. It may be a density sorter where light componentsmay spin to the inside and heavy components may spin to the outside. itis noted that size sort is different than density sort. Cyclones havenot been used in non-ferrous recovery systems in the past. In the past,a cyclone may only have been a Z-box accessory which may only have beenused in the ferrous recovery systems.

In other embodiments, an air-locked automobile shredder residue sortingsystem may provide path directed air sorting of automobile shredderresidue perhaps even with an air path directional guide. An air directedflow may not be a cyclone; a cyclone may not be directed air flow, andperhaps even a cyclone may have rotary air flow. Directed air flow maybe non-rotary air flow, laminar air flow, non-circular air flow,non-centrifugal air flow, or the like and may be guided, managed, oreven regulated air flow.

Embodiments of the present invention may include providing an automobileshredder system (1), producing shredded pieces (2) from the automobileshredder system, traditionally gross magnetically sorting the shreddedpieces perhaps with a traditional gross magnetic sorter, providing acollection of ferrous materials which may be collected in a collector asa result of a traditionally gross magnetically sorting process,providing a separate collection of non-ferrous automobile shredderresidue which may be collected in a collector as a result of atraditionally gross magnetically sorting process, and perhaps even airsorting the non-ferrous collection of automobile shredder residueperhaps in a non-ferrous automobile shredder residue sorter. Asdiscussed above, a Z-box air classifier which has not been used in anon-ferrous recovery system, surprisingly, may be used on thenon-ferrous recovery system processing perhaps as an air sorter ofnon-ferrous automobile shredder residue. it is noted that in pastsystems, no one has air sorted materials after the ferrous recoverysystem or even in a non-ferrous recovery system (e.g., air sortingnon-ferrous automobile shredder residue at any point in a non-ferrousrecovery system, beginning, intermediate, or end, or the like.) Asdiscussed in more detail herein, an air sorting system may be a laminarair sorter, a horizontal air sorter, a closed system air sorter, anon-magnetic separator of magnetic fuzz from non-ferrous materials, orthe like. in embodiments of the present invention, separation of lowsusceptance microparticles from automobile shredder residue may beprovided perhaps with a low susceptance microparticle separator. Lowsusceptance microparticles could be magnetic fuzz, iron oxide particles,microparticles, dust, trash, ferromagnetic particles, non- or evenanti-ferromagnetic particles or the like and may even be small perhapsless than about one inch in size or the like. Low susceptancemicroparticles could be disassociated from automobile shredder residueperhaps in that they may be sloughed off or even shook off. Lowsusceptance microparticles may have low magnetic sensor susceptibility,may be small magnetic particles in size, or may even be non-magnetic orthe like. Low susceptance microparticles may be located in a non-ferrousrecovery system. Low susceptance microparticles may be magneticallyactive disassociated particles with low or magnetic or perhaps even lowsensor susceptibility, such s but not limited to magnetic fuzz.Susceptance (not meant in a scientific manner) may provide that lowmagnetic sensor susceptance can be a function of size of the particles,a function of the properties of the particles (magnetic or not) or thelike. Magnetic fuzz may have low sensor susceptance (e.g., it may getstuck and may even clog in non-ferrous recovery system processing).Disassociated magnetically active microparticles may be magnetic fuzzbecause these particles may be difficult to substantially identify.Susceptance may mean magnetic and microparticle may mean lowsusceptance. Separation of low susceptance microparticles fromautomobile shredder residue could be any type of system where lowsusceptance microparticles are separated from the automobile shredderresidue including but not limited to a pencil or even small type ofmagnet. As one non-limiting example, a magnet may be one that may beable to be inserted or stirred in or the like into a collection ofnon-ferrous components and can pick up substantially only magnetic fuzz.Perhaps even after the small magnetic may pick up the automobileshredder residue particles, they can be brushed off and collected ortrashed or the like. This may provide magnetically removing lowsusceptance microparticles or magnetic fuzz or the like.

Alternatively, a sorting system (5) such as an air sorting system, asdiscussed herein, may provide non-magnetic separation of low susceptancemicroparticles from automobile shredder residue perhaps with a lowsusceptance microparticle separator. This may provide a non-magneticsystem to sort magnetic materials as discussed herein. It may bedesirable to identify low susceptance microparticles in a system byperhaps visually identification, sensor identification, or the like.

One of the biggest problems in automobile shredder residue sortingsystems may be the magnetic fuzz. As such, the present inventionprovides, in embodiments, substantially sorting selected magnetic fuzzfrom automobile shredder residue. As mentioned herein, magnetic fuzzremoval from automobile shredder residue may be utilized in thenon-ferrous recovery system side of automobile shredder residueprocessing. As non-ferrous recovery system processing input substances,such as the automobile shredder residue (4) as shown in FIG. 4. may beinitially inputted into a non-ferrous recovery system, it may bedesirable to remove the magnetic fuzz perhaps to increase efficienciesin the non-ferrous recovery line. Of course, automobile shredder residenon-ferrous recovery system processing input substances may include anyinputted components at any step in a non-ferrous recovery system such asbut not limited to before sizing, after sizing, before traditionalsorting systems, after traditional sorting systems, in betweentraditional sorting systems, or the like. (Traditional sorting systemsinclude both initial sorting systems and subsequent sorting systems.)

In the past, large magnets may have been used to remove magneticcomponents from the automobile shredder reside perhaps even in thenon-ferrous recovery system. However, while the large magnets couldattract at least some magnetic fuzz, it was only with other magneticcomponents such as steel or the like thus resulting in removal of goodrecyclable components mixed in with the undesirable magnetic fuzz.Sorting of magnetic fuzz from automobile shredder residue may be run onetime perhaps as a single stage sort, may be repeated for a number oftimes including but not limited to more than about one time, about twotimes, more than about two times. about three times, more than aboutthree times, about four times, more than about four times, about fivetimes, more than about five times, or more, or the like. As mentionedherein, a Z-box air classifier may be used in the non-ferrous recoverysystem perhaps even to remove magnetic fuzz from automobile shredderresidue non-ferrous recovery system processing input substances. TheZ-box air classifier may be used once, may be repeated perhaps for anumber of times including but not limited to about two times, aboutthree times, about four times, about five times, more than about onetime, more than about two times, more than about three times, more thanabout four times, more than about five times, or more, or the like.Alternatively, a. wind tunnel sorting system, as discussed in variousembodiments herein, may be used as a sorter of magnetic fuzz fromautomobile shredder residue. For example, magnetic fuzz may be a lightermaterial that may flow through a wind tunnel sorting system and may becaptured in a cyclone type environment. In the past, a Z-box airclassifier perhaps in conjunction with a cyclone may only have been usedin a ferrous recovery system and it was not used to separate outmagnetic fuzz.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide non-magneticallymagnetic separating automobile shredder residue in an automobileshredder residue sorting system perhaps with a non-magnetic magneticsorter of automobile shredder residue. Accordingly, the presentinvention may provide magnetic separation of components (e.g.,separating or even substantially separating, magnetic components fromnon-magnetic components) in automobile shredder residue without usingany magnets. This may he done with a wind tunnel sorting system or thelike to perhaps separate magnetic fuzz, substantially sorting selectedmagnetic fuzz, separating light density magnetic fuzz, separatinglightly magnetic magnetic fuzz, or the like from automobile shredderresidue perhaps even in a non-ferrous recovery system. Light densitymagnetic fuzz may be particles that are magnetic but may be light inweight. Lightly magnetic magnetic fuzz may be particles that aremagnetic but may be weakly magnetic. It is noted that in the past aZ-box air classifier may only be a density sorter (and even only in aferrous recovery system) and it cannot sort magnetic materials sincesome of the light materials via a density sort may include both magneticand non-magnetic components (e.g., aluminum with magnetic fuzz) andheavy materials via a density sort may include both magnetic andnon-magnetic components.

As further understood and explained herein. embodiments of the presentinvention may provide methods of recovering recyclable materials fromautomobile shredder residue trash comprising providing automobileshredder residue; traditionally separating said automobile shredderresidue to provide traditional recyclable materials and traditional endproduct waste; sorting said traditional end product waste; and perhapseven recovering recyclable materials from said traditional end productwaste. An apparatus may include a traditional automobile shredderresidue sorter capable of generating traditional recyclable materialsand traditional end product waste; and perhaps even an end product wastesorter capable of sorting said traditional end product waste. Thus,surprisingly embodiments of the present invention may provide theability to recovery recyclable components out of what was traditionallyconsidered trash and was sent to a landfill.

Sorting of traditional end product waste may be with an air sortingautomobile shredder system, a density sorting automobile shreddersystem, a wind tunnel sorting system or the like. Perhaps to provideeconomic options to some of the automobile shredder facilities, endproduct waste sorting perhaps with an end product waste sorter may be aminiature or even single capture sorter. This may be a smaller versionof a full automobile shredder residue sorter which can provide a lessexpensive machine. After sorting traditional end product waste, theoutput thereof may be a salable output such as a salable concentrate.This may be sold for recycling or perhaps even may be sold to a futureprocessing facility and may be called future processing output. it maybe that two outputs are generated from a sorter, one that is a trashoutput and the other that is a salable concentrate output. Of course,there may be more than one salable outputs perhaps two or even at leasttwo salable concentrations output or more or the like perhaps evendepending on if the sorter is a. miniature sorter or a full sorter orthe design or the like. In embodiments, sorting of traditional endproduct waste may be single stage sorting perhaps that it may be sortedone time or alternatively, double stage sorting may be desirable. Ofcourse, one could sort automobile shredder residue or even traditionalend product waste as many times as desired.

Some embodiment of the present invention may provide a method ofenhanced separation of automobile shredder residue comprising providinga wind tunnel sorting system; air locking said wind tunnel sortingsystem; introducing automobile shredder residue into said wind tunnelsorting system; providing gravitationally influenced descent of saidautomobile shredder residue in said wind tunnel sorting system to createa substantially vertical, free-falling flow of residue; flowing airthrough said wind tunnel sorting system into said substantiallyvertical, free-falling flow of residue; dynamically influencing saidgravitationally influenced descent of at least some of said automobileshredder residue with said flowing air so that at least some of saidautomobile shredder residue is carded with said flowing air in said windtunnel sorting system; separating said automobile shredder residue insaid wind tunnel sorting system by said flowing air scattering saidautomobile shredder residue; collecting said automobile shredder residueas said automobile shredder residue variably moves in said wind tunnelsorting system; and perhaps even providing at least one collection ofmaterials, Apparatus may include an air-locked automobile shredderresidue wind tunnel sorting system; an air flow in said air-lockedautomobile shredder residue wind tunnel sorting system configured toinfluence said automobile shredder residue; and perhaps even at leastone collector of sorted automobile shedder residue.

As mentioned, embodiments of the present invention may provide anincreased ability to recover recyclable components from trash materials.For example, a method of processing automobile shredder residue maycomprise providing automobile shredder residue; traditionally separatingsaid automobile shredder residue to provide traditional recyclablematerials and traditional end product waste; sorting said traditionalend product waste; providing a collection of landfill substances and acollection of additional processing substances (such as shreddermaterials (17)) as a result of said step of sorting said traditional endproduct waste; shipping said collection of said landfill substances to alandfill (42) (as represented in FIG. 4); and perhaps even shipping saidcollection of said additional processing substances to a separatesorting facility v(45) (as represented in FIG. 4, (43) may include anykind step to which materials are processed for additional sorting).Embodiments may include a traditional automobile shredder residue sortercapable of generating traditional recyclable materials and traditionalend product waste; an end product waste sorter capable of sorting saidtraditional end product waste and configured to provide sorted landfillsubstances and additional processing substances; a landfill substancecollector of said landfill substances from said end product wastesorter; and perhaps even an additional processing, substance collectorof said additional processing substances from said end product wastesorter. As explained herein, an end product waste sorter could be a windtunnel sorter, a Z-box air classifier, a. limited sorting system perhapslike a miniature or mini-system, or a sorting system as discussed hereinor the like.

It may be desirable to economically balance, perhaps with an economicbalancer or any kind of evaluator (46) like a balancer or the like asystem. Economically balancing may be provided with a. computer program,a specialized computer or the like. Balancing may be provided byevaluating the collection of additional processing substances with thecollection of landfill substances in that it may need to make economicsense for the processing including sorting, shipping, investment intonew machinery as compared to traditional systems and their landfillcosts, or the like. For example, it may be desirable to balance shippingcosts with a value of additional processing substances perhaps in thatshipping costs of the additional processing substances may be less thanthe disposal costs of the additional processing substances.Alternatively, a separate sorting facility (43) that may receive theadditional processing substances may pay the original facility (44) thatshipped the additional processing substances for those additionalsubstances perhaps to offset any shipping costs or other factors. ft maybe desirable to locationally evaluate shipping costs of additionalprocessing substances to a separate sorting facility perhaps with alocational evaluator. For example a determination of an adequatepopulation base, perhaps with an adequate population evaluator, for afacility that performs a sorting step may be evaluated for dense orsparse supply of trash and generation of traditional end product waste.Further, it may be desirable to evaluate natural boundaries to aseparate sorting facility perhaps with a natural boundary evaluator tounderstand access, travel, shipping, hurdles, boundaries, customs,costs, time or the like.

Sorting of traditional end product, waste may be run once, may berepeated, may be run twice, may be repeated once, may be repeated twice,or more or the like as may be needed. However, a balance of a cost ofrepeating the sorting of traditional end product waste or any othercosts, such as time internal costs, shipping costs, or the like, may bedesirable when evaluating the economics of the processing or system. insome embodiments, it may be desirable to balance a cost of landfillexpense with shipping expense and recovery expense perhaps with a costbalancer. Splitting of revenue such as a revenue split of additionalprocessing substances as processed in a separate sorting facility may beused between the separate sorting facility and the original sortingfacility and may include but is not limited to a split of 50%:50%;90%:10%; 80%:20%; 70%:30%; 60%:40%; 75%:25%, to either facility, e.g.,original sorting facility to separate sorting facility or separatesorting facility to original sorting facility, or the like. Of courseany kind of split may be used and all are meant to be included in thisdisclosure. Balancing (46) recovery of additional processing substanceswith a recycle value of additional processing substances may beevaluated. A shipping paradigm may be transformed, perhaps as the typeof container, to change an economic of a shipping paradigm. This mayprovide elimination of truck load cross contamination or may designate atruck as a dry truck or an additional processing substance truck so thattrucks can be utilized for pick up and retrieval of substances moreefficiently. For example, an additional processing substance truck maybe used to ship additional processing substances from an originalsorting facility to a separate sorting facility and may even be usedthereafter to ship additional processing substances from a differentfacility or the like. In embodiments, a re-processor license may bedesignated between an original sorting facility and a separate sortingfacility to perhaps set terms between the two facilities includingrestrictions or the like reduction in sales price of an apparatus thatmay be capable of limited wind tunnel system sorting of traditional endproduct waste may be agreed to perhaps when an original sorting facilitytherein agrees to ship their additional processing substances to theseparate sorting facility.

Examples of the Cost Recovery between a full system, a mini system, alocal (such as an original) sorting facility, a central (such as aseparate sorting facility), and traditional systems are shown in TablesA, B, C, and D.

TABLE A ANDERSORT ™ Constituent - Cost Recovery - Comparisons 33 tonamounts ANDRIK ™ concentrate (avg)/ton= $180 Landfill/ton= ($25)Ferrous/ton $350 ZORBA/lb= $0.75 ZURIK/lb= $1.50

TABLE B ANDERSORT ™ Full System 100%  66800 Input (7/8″ max via stdsizing) 40960 Andersort ™ 1st run trash 25840 Input to ERIES $2,130.00 4.3% 2840 ZORBA via ERIES $ 672.00 5.7% 3840 Ferrous Recovered via ERIES19160 Andersort ™ 2nd run input 9640 Andersort ™ 2nd run trash $ 717.506.1% 4100 ferrous nuggets 5420 Andersort ™ 2nd run output $1,422.75 9.8% 948.5 ZURIK 17.50% 4471.5 Andersort ™ zurik run trash 9640Andersort ™ 2nd run trash 40960 Andersort ™ 1st run trash (above) ($688.39) 82.4%  55071.5 Andersort ™ total trash ($ 321.04) Andersort ™main license fee 15% $3,932.82  ANDERSORT ™ Net Dollars DOLLARCOMPARISON $3,932.82 ANDERSORT ™ Net Dollars

TABLE C ANDERSORT ™ Mini System LOCAL PROCESSING FACILITY  100% 66800Input (7/8″ down) $2,130.00   4.3% 2840 ZORBA $ 672.00  5.7% 3840Ferrous Recovered 90.0% 60120 Andersort ™ Mini input ($ 605.00) 72.5%48400 Andersort ™ Mini 2X trash. $1,054.80  17.5% 11720 ANDRIK ™ output($ 158.22) Andersort ™ local license fee 15% $3,093.58  ANDERSORT ™LOCAL Net Dollars CENTRAL SORT FACILITY ($1,054.80)   100% 11720ANDRIK ™ input 2200 Andersort ™ central trash 9520 $ 717.50 35.0% 4100ferrous nuggets 5420 Andersort ™ 2nd run output $1,422.75   8.1% 948.5ZURIK 17.50% 4471.5 Andersort ™ zurik run trash 2200 Andersort ™ centralpart 1 trash  ($ 83.39) 56.9% 6671.5 Andersort ™ total central trash ($321.04) Andersort ™ central license fee 15% $ 681.02 ANDERSORT ™ CENTRALNet Dollars $3,093.58  ANDERSORT ™ LOCAL Net Dollars $ 681.02ANDERSORT ™ CENTRAL Net Dollars

TABLE D TRADITIONAL SYSTEM 100% 66800 Input (7/8″ down) $2,130.00   43%2840 ZORBA best case ERIES Sort (eddy & DSRP) $ 672.00  5.7% 3840Ferrous Recovered best case ERIES Sort (eddy & DSRP) ($ 751.50) 90.0% 60120 Traditional Landfill $2,050.50  Traditional Net Dollars

Various products may result from the various systems as discussedherein. For example, a product comprising zurik substantially havingpieces thereof which are less than about one inch may be provided inembodiments of the present invention. This product may be produced froman air sorter or any other type of method or system. Zurik may besalable zurik, may be produced from a non-ferrous recovery system, maybe non-trashy zurik, and may even have a size selected from a groupconsisting of about ⅞ inch and less than about ⅞ inch. In traditionalsystems, small cut zurik (perhaps that of less than one inch, ⅞ inch orless or the like) is not available because when processing automobileshredder residue in traditional systems, the zurik product would be toofuzzy and not salable.

In embodiments, a product may be a high copper, mid-sized zurik. It maybe a low trash zurik. which may be less than about 20% trash by volumeor the like. A high copper zurik may include at least about 6% copper orgreater than about 6% copper by volume or may even be between about 6%and about 18% copper, up to about 18% copper, up to about 19% copper, upto about 20% copper, up to about 21% copper, and up to about 22% copperby volume, or the like. High copper, mid-sized zurik may have a size ofbetween about one inch and about three inches. Products may be any size,including but not limited to, less than about three inches or the like.In the past, traditional systems may have provided zurik for mid cutwith about 6% copper. Also, in past, traditional systems may haveprovided unclean, trashy copper perhaps with magnetic fuzz therein whichmay have made it unsalable.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide a product with zorba,zurik, ferrous nuggets, and trash without substantially any magneticfuzz. This product may be produced from an air sorter or any othermethod or system. Other products may include a collection of up to aboutone inch sized automobile shredder residue having an amount of magneticfuzz that is less than a traditional amount of magnetic fuzz. Atraditional amount of magnetic fuzz may be greater than about 10% volumeof magnetic fuzz.

Yet other products may provide a collection of up to about one inchsized automobile shredder residue having a percentage of magnetic fuzztherein, said percentage of magnetic fuzz is selected from a groupconsisting of less than about 10% volume of magnetic fuzz, less thanabout 9% volume of magnetic fuzz, less than about 8% volume of magneticfuzz, less than about 7% volume of magnetic fuzz, less than about 6%volume of magnetic fuzz, less than about 5% volume of magnetic fuzz,less than about 4% volume of magnetic fuzz, less than about 3% volume ofmagnetic fuzz, less than about 2% volume of magnetic fuzz, and less thanabout 1% volume of magnetic fuzz. Yet even other products may provide a.collection of up to about one inch sized automobile shredder residuecomprising substantially magnetic fuzz free components. Other productsmay include any kind of product that may be produced with any of themethods as discussed herein.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide an automobile shredderresidue sorting system. which provides greater than 10% recycledmaterials from automobile shredder residue. Traditional sorting in thepast may have pulled out about 90% trash. leaving about 10% recyclablematerials such as but not limited to copper, zorba, zurik, ferrousnuggets, any combination thereof, or the like. In the present invention,embodiments may provide the ability to generate greater than 10%recyclable materials by volume. As one non-limiting example, embodimentsof the present invention may provide systems that can pull out about82.4% trash thus providing about 17.6% recyclable materials.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a sorting systemresponsive to and even capable of sorting automobile shredder residuesand components within. By responsive, a sorting system may react, may beused with or perhaps even may be desirable for use with automobileshredder residues. A substantially isotropic quantization sorting systemmay provide sorting of heterogeneous materials into substantiallyuniform collections perhaps with discrete values or characteristics.Substantially isotropic quantization separating with automobile shredderresidues and materials may provide divided subparts Which may bediscrete, substantially constrained, substantially concentrated,substantially homogenous, or perhaps even substantially categorized fromthe whole. In one respect, automobile shredder residue may be consideredwaste prior to sorting and after substantially isotropic quantizationsorting, the sorted collections resulting there from may be recyclableperhaps even in the form of zorba, zurik, and the like. Therefore,various embodiments of the present invention may provide a substantiallyhomogenous separation system or even a substantially concentratedseparation system or the like which may result in substantiallyhomogenous materials, substantially concentrated materials, or the like.

In embodiments, an automobile shredder residue sorting system (5) suchas an air sorting system, a nonferrous automobile shredder residue airsorter, an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system, anon-magnetic magnetic sorter, a substantially isotropic quantizationsorting system, an air-locked Z-box air classifier, low susceptancemicroparticle separator, a magnetic fuzz separator or sorter, or thelike may include a wind tunnel sorting system as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and3. A wind tunnel sorting system may provide sorting of materials such asautomobile shredder residue or other products from automobile shredderresidue (e.g., separated materials, zorba, zurik, or the like) in afashion which may effectively and even efficiently provide separation ofrecyclable materials from automobile shredder residue. For example,automobile shredder residue (4), shredder materials (17), or the likemay be introduced into a wind tunnel sorting system perhaps at anintroduction element (12) so that the materials can be processed in asystem. Laminar air flow (7) which may or may not be horizontal may beprovided in a system that may influence, perhaps even dynamicallyinfluence the materials. Laminar air flow (7) may be path directed airflow to provide path directed air sorting of automobile shedder residuein a sorting system. Influence upon the materials may produce a forceresulting in desired sorting effects. Some of the materials may becarried, pushed, or even scattered by the laminar air flow so that anyinitial vertical gravitationally driven descent may dynamically changeperhaps based on the weight of the materials, the force of the air flow,and perhaps even the direction of the air flow. Dynamic influence on thematerials may provide categorized collections of the automobile shredderresidue as the residue may variably descend in the wind tunnel sortingsystem. At least one collection of materials (9) may be generated fromthe system as influenced by the laminar air flow. The collection ofmaterials (9) may include, but is not limited to, recyclable materials,sorted materials, a collection of low susceptance microparticles, asalable output, a salable concentration output of end product waste, acollection of magnetic fuzz, a collection of substantially isotropicquantized materials, a trash output, sorted landfill substances,additional processing substances, or the like. A collection may includethose materials that may travel in the air into a cyclone and filteredout and collected.

The materials may be introduced into a sorting system such as a windtunnel sorting system or the like in any fashion including but notlimited to vertically, horizontally, from a top, from a bottom from aside, diagonally or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, an introductionelement (12) may be located at a top of a wind tunnel and may even be anair lock (27) permitting passage of the materials into a wind tunnelsystem but in which the system may be kept under pressure. Aftermaterials are introduced into the wind tunnel system, the materials maygravitationally descend into a wind tunnel (28) perhaps with agravitationally driven descent (6) as may be understood in FIG. 3. Inembodiments, air locks may be provided at or near the collection ofsorted materials perhaps even at a bottom of a system.

Sorting of automobile shredder residues in a wind tunnel sorting systemmay provide sorting of heavier materials from lighter materials. Forexample, the heavier materials may descend substantially vertically (6)(into a collection of heavy materials and even a container element (13)thereof. In some embodiments, a container element (13) may be an exampleof a collector of sorted materials such as ferrous materials orautomobile shredder residue components or the like. The heavy materialsmay not be influenced by the air flow. However, lighter materials may bedynamically influenced by an air flow and may be pushed or carrieddownstream perhaps from an introduction section and may be scatteredinto a plurality of downstream container elements to provide a pluralityor even a series (10) of collections (9). As shown in FIG. 3, an exampleof a descent (6) of a material is shown where the heaviest materials mayfall in a substantially vertical (35) fashion and lighter materials maybe dynamically influenced by an air flow and carried (8) downstream. Thematerials may be funneled into a collection area. Accordingly,embodiments of the present invention may provide a series of collectionsof materials perhaps in a series of containers or conveyer belts wherethe heavier materials (31) may be collected upstream and the lightermaterials (32) may be collected downstream. A container (13), which forpurposes of illustration. may be placed under an air lock as shown inFIG. 3 and may be any kind of containing or even carrying element toallow collections of materials to be contained and perhaps eventransported via a conveyer belt, moving carrier, or the like.

In embodiments, a series of containers may be located at a bottom (33)of a wind tunnel and may even be arranged along a direction of air flowto perhaps provide collection of materials of different weights in eachcontainer. The collected materials may include separated heavymaterials, separated light materials, separated trash materials,separated mixed heavy materials, or the like. Any number of containersmay be used such as but not limited to at least 2, at least 3, at least4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, greater than 2, lessthan 10 containers, more than 10 containers, or the like. At least onecontainer may he used as well depending on the needs of the system.

Heavier materials may include but are not limited to recyclablematerials, metals, ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, heavy trash,glass, plastic, wood, aluminum, copper, zinc, brass, lead, stainlesssteel, and the like ; and lighter materials may include but are notlimited. to trash, magnetic fuzz, dirt, and the like.

Laminar flow may be a smooth air flow and may be created with an airaligner (19) which may be a plurality of tubes located between an aircurrent source element (20) and a material introduction element (12). Anair aligner (19) may be an air path directional guide in someembodiments which may provide guided or even regulated air flow in asorting system. An air path direction guide may be a non-rotary air flowguide, a laminar flow air guide, a non-circular air flow guide, or evena non-centrifugal air flow guide or the like which can provide pathdirected air flow, non-rotary air flow, laminar air flow, non-circularair flow, or even non-centrifugal air flow, or the like in a sortingsystem. The tubes may be steel tubes, plastic tubes, rubber tubes or thelike. An air aligner may be positioned so that laminar air flow may hecreated in a desired direction or even in a direct configuration with amaterial. Laminar air flow may be streamlined and may be an undisruptedor even substantially turbulent free air flow. An air source element(20) may be a fan, blower, ventilator or even any device which mayproduce a current of air. Air flow in a wind tunnel system may have anair velocity which may be selected based on the type of materialsprocessed. In some embodiments, a non-limited example of air velocity oreven speed may include between about 15 and about 60 miles per hour,between about 15 and about 35 miles per hour, about 28 miles per hour,between about 35 and about 60 miles per hour, about 40 miles per hour,all increments therein, or the like. In some embodiments, a speed of thecomponents in a wind tunnel system may be between about 30 miles perhour and about 40 miles per hour and all increments therein. Of course,any air velocity or speed value may be used and all are meant to beincluded in the scope of this application. Air velocity of a laminar airflow may be constant or may even be variable. The air velocity may bevariably changed during use of the wind tunnel system perhaps that itmay be increased or decreased during use. Dwell time of a component in awind tunnel system may be about 1 second, greater than about 1 second,about 1.5 seconds, about 2 seconds, more than a dwell time of a Z-boxair classifier, or the like. Therefore, in some instances, the air flowin a wind tunnel system may be less than that used in a Z-box airclassifier, for example an air flow in a wind tunnel system may bebetween about 30 and about 40 miles per hour where a Z-box airclassifier may be about between about 60 and about 80 miles per hour,even 75 miles per hour. Thus, a dwell time of a component therein wouldbe longer in a wind tunnel system than in a Z-box air classifier atthose rates. It may be that a Z-box air classifier has a dwell time ofless than about 1 second.

In embodiments, an air velocity may have different values at differentlocations in a wind tunnel sorting system. This may dynamicallyinfluence the materials as they may be carried in a laminar air flow andmay even provide better separation of the materials. As but one example,an air velocity may be different at a. material introduction section(21) than at a downstream section (22). A material introduction sectionmay have an air velocity such as but not limited to between about 15 andabout 35 miles per hour, about 28 miles per hour, and between about 25and about 40 miles per hour, or the like. A downstream section may havean air velocity such as but not limited to between about 35 and about 60miles per hour, about 40 miles per hour, between about 30 and about 60miles per hour, and the like. As mentioned above, all options for airvelocity may be used and are meant to be included in this disclosure. Inproviding different air velocities within a wind tunnel, the presentinvention may utilize an internal volume (23) at or near a materialintroduction section that may be greater than an internal volume (24) ator near a downstream section. As shown in FIG. 3, six separationsections are provided as a non-limiting example. The horizontal laminarair flow (7) may flow but is not limited to flow from the left to theright influencing materials introduced from the introduction element(12). The heaviest materials may descend almost vertically down (35)into a first collection container. The lighter materials may be carriedand may descend into one of the remaining series of containerseffectually sorting out the heaviest materials from the lightestmaterials. The air flow in the downstream sections may be increased byrestricting the volume space within the wind tunnel as shown in FIGS. 1and 3. The housing of a wind tunnel may be narrowed perhaps by loweringa roof section (25) for those sections of the wind tunnel that desire anincrease air flow velocity. Adjustment of the housing may he providedperhaps by adjusting the degree to Which a roof section may be lowered.

In embodiments, a wind tunnel sorting system may have a rectangularcross section of a wind tunnel. Other shapes may be used such ascircular, square, combinations thereof and the like. As shown in FIG. 1,a sorting system (5) with may be an air-locked automobile shredderresidue sorting system, a substantially isotropic quantization sortingsystem, a wind tunnel sorting system, low susceptance microparticleseparator, or the like may be a closed loop system perhaps providingcontinuous circulation of the air flow and even in an air locked system.As mentioned above, an air lock (27) may be provided at a. materialintroduction element and may even he provided where separated materialsexit the system such as shown in FIG. 3. Any air lock (27) may he usedincluding but not limited to a rotary airlock, a drop box airlock (witha lid on top and a lid on the bottom), or perhaps even an axial airlockperhaps located at a bottom of a system and even that has one axial airlock instead of multiple ones running perpendicular along a bottom of asystem. Axial may be situated along an axis of the system. An air lockedsystem may be important in providing adequate air flow and direction ofthe air flow within the system. As mentioned earlier, air flow may begenerated from an air current source (20) where a fan may blow airthrough an air aligner (19) to create a horizontal laminar air flow intoa wind tunnel (28) of a system. Materials (4, 17) introduced in theintroduction element (12) may descend into the wind tunnel and mayultimately be separated into a series of collections of materials. Theair flow, after passing through the wind tunnel, may then exit the windtunnel and may proceed into a cyclone (29). Light materials may remainin the air flow and may even be carried into the cyclone (29). In thecyclone, the light materials may be filtered out to remove the lightmaterials and provide a clean air flow such that a cyclone (29) may be alight material removal element in some embodiments. The filtered air mayexit the cyclone and may be channeled (18) back to the air currentsource (20) perhaps providing a closed loop system, a continuous airflow system. or perhaps even recycling with an air recycling element orrecirculation element of the air flow within a system.

When separating recyclable materials from automobile shredder residue,embodiments of the present invention provide separating an amount ofwaste in the automobile shredder residue from recyclable materials.While any amount of separation of waste from recyclable materials isavailable and all are included in this scope of this application, theamount of waste which may be separated from automobile shredder residuemay depend on the type of automobile shredder residue. Thus, perhapsdepending on the type of cut size used in a substantially isotropicquantization separation system, the amount of waste may differ. As anon-limiting example, an amount of waste removed from automobileshredder residue may include between about 80% and about 90%, greaterthan about 75%, less than about 90%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%,about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%,about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, or the like. Inanother non-limiting example, an amount of waste removed from automobileshredder residue could be about 20% to about 40%, at least about 20%,about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about 32%,about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about39%, about 40%, or the like. More waste may be removed from fine sizedautomobile shredder residue (perhaps up to 95% waste removal) than frommedium sized automobile shredder residue (perhaps up to 40% wasteremoval).

In embodiments, automobile shredder residue may be screened through asizing element so that particles of the automobiles shredder residue maybe separated and even sized into desired cut sizes. This may varydepending on the specific system and any kind of sizing option may beused. As a non limiting example, automobile shredder residue may be runthrough a sizing machine, or even a plurality of sizing machines tocreate perhaps three groups of cut sizes such as large size, mediumsize, and even fine size. A large size may be between about 2 or about2. 5 inches and about 5 inches, greater than about 2 inches, betweenabout 2 inches and about 7 inches, or the like. A medium size may bebetween about ⅞ inch and about 2 or about 2.5 inches; and a fine sizemay be less than about 1 inch, less than about ⅞ inch, about ¾ inch,about ½ inch, or the like. As a non limiting example, embodiments of thepresent invention may provide optimal separation of automobile shredderresidue when sizes of less than about 2 inches are introduced into asystem such as a wind tunnel sorting system.

Some important factors of the present invention may provide decreasingan amount of automobile shredder residue disposal and even increasing anamount of recyclable materials as may be recovered from automobileshredder residue. Recyclable material recovered from automobile shredderresidue may include but is not limited to metals, nonferrous metals,ferrous metals, aluminum, copper, zinc, brass, lead, stainless steel,magnesium, nickel, tin, insulated copper wire, zorba, zurik, polymers,plastic, any combination thereof, or the like. As a non-limitingexample, between about 5% and about 20%, up to about 10%, up to about20% up to about 25%, up to 30% of said automobile shredder residue canbe removed as recyclable materials thus reducing landfill and waste andeven increasing a recyclable amount of materials.

Since the amount of recyclable materials recovered may be increased, amonetary amount may be associated with the increase based on the systemsor methods as discussed herein in the various embodiments. As a nonlimiting example, between about $8.00 USD and about $20.00 USD per tonof shredded material may be addition ally recovered based on the amountof salable additionally recovered recyclable materials as compared topast techniques. Of course, these values may vary with the market andwith the amount of recyclables recovered ; however it may provide asubstantial increase in salable materials.

As recyclable materials are sorted from automobile shredder residue,they may be sorted as separated materials such as metals, plastics,zorba, zurik, nonferrous trash, any combination thereof and the like.Zorba may be shredded nonferrous scrap of any combination of aluminum,copper, lead, magnesium, stainless steel, nickel, tin, and zinc, inelemental or alloyed (solid) form and may even be resulting materialgenerated by traditional sorting processes such as eddy current, airseparation, flotation, screening, or other segregation techniques or acombination thereof. Zurik may be shredded nonferrous sensor sortedscrap of any combination of stainless steel, insulated copper wire,aluminum, copper, lead, magnesium, nickel, tin, and zinc, in elementalor alloyed (solid) form and may even be resulting material generated bycomputer sensing equipment such as but not limited to induction sensorsorting or X-ray techniques. Other requirements may apply to zorba andzurik such as having been passed through one or more magnets to reduceor even eliminate free iron and/or large iron attachments, perhaps feeof radioactive material, dross, or ash, or the like requirements.

As mentioned herein, embodiments of the present invention may provide acombination of automobile shredder residue sorting systems whenrecovering recyclable materials from automobile shredder residue. Asubstantially isotropic quantization sorting system such as a windtunnel sorting system may be used with any number of traditional sortingsystems perhaps as a subsequent sorting system or even as an initialsorting system. Traditional sorting systems may include but are notlimited to magnets, eddy current, air puff separation, flotation,screening, sensor sorting, induction sensor sorting, X-ray, anycombination thereof or the like as one skilled in the art wouldunderstand. Traditional non-ferrous sorting systems may include but isnot limited to eddy current, air puff sensor, Eriez magnetic separator,or the like. Magnets may pull out ferrous materials including ferrousnuggets. Magnets may also attract magnetic fuzz which may be undesirablewhen trying to separate recyclable ferrous materials. Therefore,processing automobile shredder residue in substantially isotropicquantization sorting systems prior to use with magnetic sorting systemsmay be desirable to remove materials detrimental to the magnetic sortingsystem and may provide a cleaner product. This may also apply with zorbaand zurik perhaps generated from other systems.

When using sorting systems as a pre-sorting technique, collections ofcollected materials such as substantially isotropic quantized materialsor the like may be further processed and even purified in a subsequentsorting system. Some of the collected materials may be discarded as theymay he determined to he substantially non-recyclable materials. Thesubsequent sorting system may take the recyclable materials or evenother collections of materials and efficiently separate metals or evenplastics from the collections. Due to the nature of the collections ofmaterials and perhaps even the removal of magnetic fuzz, entanglements,and other trash from the automobile shredder residue with the separationsystems, the effectiveness of the subsequent sorting systems may resultin cleaner, better, and usable materials for recycling.

When using sorting systems as a post-sorting technique, an initialsorting system may be responsive to automobile shredder residue where itmay he initially processed in any of the various traditional sortingsystems providing separated materials. At least some recyclablematerials may be sorted from the initial sorting system. The separatedmaterials received from the initial sorting system or systems may thenbe introduced into a specialized sorting system. In embodiments,separated materials may include but are not limited to zorba, zurik,trash, nonferrous trash, automobile shredder residue or the like. Ofcourse, embodiments of the present invention may include both pre-sortand post-sort techniques, re-processing of materials in any of thevarious sorting systems including a substantially isotropic quantizationsorting system and any combination thereof.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing a non limiting example of variousembodiments of an overall system. Some of the steps or systems may ormay not be used and the order of the steps may be varied as needed Asmentioned above, an automobile shredder and metal reclamation processmay include shredder materials (26) processed in an automobile shreddersystem (1) providing a plurality of shredded pieces (2). The shreddedpieces may be sorted and a collection of ferrous metals (3) may berecycled (30) leaving a plurality of automobile shredder residue (4)behind. This may be a ferrous recovery system (40). Thereafter,automobile shredder residue may he processed in a non-ferrous recoverysystem (41). The automobile shredder residue (4) may be sized (34) andmay even be processed through a traditional perhaps even an initialsorting system (16) to provide separated materials (17) from the initialsorting system (16). At least some of the separated materials (17) suchas traditional recyclable materials may be recycled (30). At least someof the separated materials (17) could be traditional end product wastewhich in the past could be considered trash and may have been sent to alandfill (42). At least some, if not all, of the separated materials(17) such as traditional end product waste or even the automatedshredder residue (4) or even sized (34) automated shredder residue maybe processed perhaps by sorting in a sorting system (5) such as but notlimited to an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system, anend product waste sorter, a substantially isotropic quantizationseparation system, a wind tunnel sorting system, or the like to providea collection, or even a series of collections of materials (9) andperhaps even recovery of recyclable materials of traditional end productwaste. Therefore, in some embodiments, what could in the past beconsidered trash may be processed (43) by perhaps shipping from anoriginal sorting facility (44) to a separate sorting facility (15) foradditional processing of substances, or the like. Processing (43) may beany step of taking materials (19) and providing them for subsequentsorting (15). At least some of the collected materials (9) may berecycled (30) or some of the collected materials (9) may be shipped to alandfill (42). At least one of the collections of materials (9) may beprocessed in a subsequent sorting system (15) to provide recyclablematerials (36) from the subsequent sorting system (15). As representedin FIG. 5, a subsequent sorting system (15) may provide traditionalsorting processes or may even provide sorting systems as describedherein. Processing with subsequent sorting systems may be by a separatesorting facility (45) or could even be by a same sorting facility. Therecyclable materials (36) may be recycled (30). Recycling may be with arecycle element as one skilled in the art would understand. Embodimentsof the present invention may provide an automated system or even apartially automated system where each of the process steps may beaccomplished in an automated or even partially automated fashion.Movement of materials from one step to another may be accomplished bymanual labor, conveyer belts, truck transportation, and the like.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involvesboth automobile shredder residue sorting techniques as well as devicesto accomplish the appropriate automobile shredder residue sorter. Inthis application, the automobile shredder residue sorting techniques aredisclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the variousdevices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. Theyare simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended anddescribed. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should beunderstood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also canbe varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing,all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by thisdisclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as abasic description. The reader should be aware that the specificdiscussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; manyalternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the genericnature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature orelement can actually be representative of a broader function or of agreat variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these areimplicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is describedin device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitlyperforms a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for thedevice described, but also method or process claims may be included toaddress the functions the invention and each element performs. Neitherthe description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope ofthe claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes arealso implicitly included in the description. They still fall within thescope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both theexplicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting theclaims for any subsequent patent application. should be understood thatsuch language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may beaccomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or inthe event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on thisfiling. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that thisdisclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patentapplication that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims asdeemed within the applicant s right and may be designed to yield apatent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently andas an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used orimplied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual aswell as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected.This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a methodor process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element ofthese. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosurerelates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may beexpressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms even if only thefunction or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even moregeneric terms should be considered to be encompassed in the descriptionof each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desiredto make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this inventionis entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that allactions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as anelement which causes that action. Similarly, each physical elementdisclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the actionwhich that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, asbut one example, the disclosure of a “collection” should be understoodto encompass disclosure of the act of “collecting” whether explicitlydiscussed or not and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure ofthe act of “collecting”, such a disclosure should be under stood toencompass disclosure of a collection and even a “means for collecting.”Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitlyincluded in the description. Further, each such means (whetherexplicitly so described or not) should he understood as encompassing allelements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions ofelements that perform a described function should be understood as anon-limiting example of means for performing that function.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in thisapplication for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Anypriority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended andhereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used itshould be under stood that unless its utilization in this application isinconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionarydefinitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and alldefinitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in theRandom House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are herebyincorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in theinformation statement filed with the application are hereby appended andhereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, tothe extent that such information or statements incorporated by referencemight be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/theseinvention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as madeby the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim andmake a statement of invention to at least : i) each of the sortingdevices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methodsdisclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicitvariations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternativedesigns which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosedand described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplisheach of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which isdisclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown asseparate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced bythe various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resultingproducts produced by such systems or components, ix) each system,method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specificfield or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially asdescribed hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanyingexamples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methods described hereincomprising means for performing the steps, xii) the various combinationsand permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xiii) eachpotentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and everyone of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xis) allinventions described herein.

In addition and as to computer aspects and each aspect amenable toprogramming or other electronic automation, the applicant(s) should beunderstood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention toat least xv) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer,machine, or computing machine as described throughout the abovediscussion, xvi) a programmable apparatus as described throughout theabove discussion, xvii) a computer readable memory encoded with data todirect a computer comprising means or elements which function asdescribed throughout the above discussion, xviii) a computer, machine,or computing machine configured as herein disclosed and described, xix)individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed anddescribed, xx) a carrier medium carrying computer readable code forcontrol of a computer to carry out separately each and every individualand combined method described herein or in any claim, xxi) a computerprogram to perform separately each and every individual and combinedmethod disclosed, xxii) a computer program containing all and eachcombination of means for performing each and every individual andcombined step disclosed, xxiii) a storage medium storing each computerprogram disclosed, xxiv) a signal carrying a computer program disclosed,xxv) the related methods disclosed and described, xxvi) equivalent, andeven implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xxvii)those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shownas are disclosed and described, xxviii) those alternative designs andmethods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit toaccomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxix) each feature,component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, andxxx) the various combinations and permutations of each of the above.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, itshould be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid greatexpansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any timepresent only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with onlyinitial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested inpotential scope of this or subsequent applications should understandthat broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in acase claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spiteof any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, orarguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there isno intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. itshould he understood that if or when broader claims are presented, suchmay require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered atany prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that tothe extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented inthis or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid suchprior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims orthe like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested inexisting or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at anytime been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender ofpotential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimeris ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application.Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon ,vent Group, PLC, 479 F. 3d1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this orany subsequent related matter. in addition, support should be understoodto exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but notlimited to European Patent Convention Article 123 (2) and United StatesPatent Law 35 USC 1.32 or other such laws—to permit the addition of anyof the various dependencies or other elements presented under oneindependent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any otherindependent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whetherin this application or in any subsequent application, it should also beunderstood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broada scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent thatinsubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant didnot in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particularembodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant shouldnot be understood to have in any way intended to or actuallyrelinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have beenable to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should notbe reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literallyencompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further. if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, accordingto traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requiresotherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to implythe inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or stepsbut not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elementsor steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive formso as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.All claims are incorporated into the specification of this applicationand the dependent claims of the incorporated claims are hereby amendedto include the phrase, or any other claim. The use of the phrase, “orany other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to bedependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, anotherindependent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listedclaim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim weredependent “on claim 20 or any other claim” or the like, it could bere-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claim 25 (if suchwere to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It shouldbe understood that this phrase also provides support for any combinationof elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired properantecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as withcombinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated byreference as part of this description of the invention, and theapplicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion ofsuch incorporated content of such claims as additional description tosupport any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof,and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move anyportion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or anyelement or component thereof from the description into the claimsvice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection issought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division,or continuation in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefitof, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws,rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such contentincorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency ofthis application including any subsequent continuation, division, orcontinuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extensionthereon.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of separation of automobile shredderresidue comprising the steps of: providing automobile shredder residue;providing an automobile shredder residue sorting system comprising atleast one air-locked wind tunnel having a first air-lock at a materialintroduction element and a second air-lock at a first sorted collectionlocation; introducing at least some of said automobile shredder residueinto said wind tunnel through said first air-lock at said materialintroduction element; separating materials within said automobileshredder residue by non-magnetically, path directed air sorting withinsaid air-locked wind tunnel into at least a first collection ofmaterials having a first common material quality; and removing saidfirst collection of materials from said wind tunnel through said secondair-lock.
 2. The method of separation of automobile shredder residue asset forth in claim 1, wherein said step of separating materials withinsaid automobile shredder residue further comprises directing a flow ofair through an air aligner to produce a laminar air flow in said windtunnel.
 3. The method of separation of automobile shredder residue asset forth in claim 1, wherein said first common material quality is atleast one of weight, density, and particle size.
 4. The method ofseparation of automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1,wherein: said one air-locked wind tunnel is further provided with athird air-lock at a second sorted collection location; wherein said stepof separating materials within said automobile shredder residue furthercomprises separating said materials within said automobile shredderresidue into at least a second collection of materials having a secondcommon material quality; and further comprising the step of removingsaid second collection of materials from said wind tunnel through saidthird air-lock.
 5. The method of separation of automobile shredderresidue as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second common materialquality is at least one of weight, density, and particle size and has adifferent value than said first common material quality.
 6. The methodof enhanced separation of automobile shredder residue as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said automobile shredder residue sorting system furthercomprises a closed loop automobile shredder residue sorting system. 7.The method of separation of automobile shredder residue as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said automobile shredder residue sorting system furthercomprises an air-locked Z-box air classifier.
 8. The method ofseparation of automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1,wherein said step of separating materials within said automobileshredder residue further comprises the step of providing a substancedwell time in said wind tunnel selected from a group consisting of adwell time that is greater than a dwell time of a Z-box air classifiersystem, about a 1 second dwell time, greater than about 1 second dwelltime, about 1.5 second dwell time, and about 2 seconds dwell time. 9.The method of separation of automobile shredder residue as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said step of non-magnetically air sorting saidautomobile shredder residue further comprises the step of single stagesorting said automobile shredder residue.
 10. The method of separationof automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidstep of non-magnetically air sorting said automobile shredder residuefurther comprises the step of double stage sorting said automobileshredder residue.
 11. The method of separation of automobile shredderresidue as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of separatingmaterials within said automobile shredder residue in said automobileshredder residue sorting system further comprises the step of directinga flow of air vertically in said automobile shredder residue sortingsystem.
 12. The method of separation of automobile shredder residue asset forth in claim 1, wherein said step of separating materials withinsaid automobile shredder residue in said automobile shredder residuesorting system further comprises the step of directing a flow of airhorizontally in said automobile shredder residue sorting system.
 13. Themethod of separation of automobile shredder residue as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said step of separating materials within saidautomobile shredder residue further comprises the step of providing aflow of air through said wind tunnel at a speed between about 30 mph andabout 40 mph.
 14. The method of separation of automobile shredderresidue as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of separatingmaterials within said automobile shredder residue further comprises thestep of providing a flow of air through said wind tunnel at a speedbetween about 15 mph and about 35 mph.
 15. The method of separation ofautomobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stepof separating materials within said automobile shredder residue furthercomprises the step of providing different air velocities at a materialintroduction section and at a downstream section of said wind tunnel.16. The method of separation of automobile shredder residue as set forthin claim 1, wherein said step of separating materials within saidautomobile shredder residue further comprises the step of reducing airvelocity in a downstream section of said wind tunnel.
 17. The method ofseparation of automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1,wherein said step of separating materials within said automobileshredder residue further comprises the step of providing a downstreamair velocity that is less than an air stream velocity at a materialintroduction section of said wind tunnel.
 18. The method of separationof automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidstep of separating materials within said automobile shredder residuefurther comprises first providing horizontal path directed air sortingand subsequently providing vertical path directed air sorting.
 19. Themethod of separation of automobile shredder residue as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising the step of providing a cyclone in saidautomobile shredder residue sorting system.
 20. The method of separationof automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of size sorting said automobile shredder residueafter providing said automobile shredder residue.
 21. The method ofseparation of automobile shredder residue as set forth in claim 20,wherein said sized automobile shredder residue comprises a size selectedfrom a group consisting of less than about 3 inches, less than about 2.5inches, less than about 1 inch, and less than about ⅞ inch.